Amphibious craft



March 29 1960 D. W. SESSIONS AMPHIBIOUS CRAFT 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 30, 1956 March 29, 1960 D. w. sassious AMPHIBIOUS CRAFT 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March $50, 1956 March; 29, 1960 D. w. SESSIONS AMPHIBIOUS CRAFT 6 Sheets-Shqet 3 Filed March 30, 1956 March 29, 1960 D. w. SESSIONS AMPHIBIOUS CRAFT 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 30, 1956 March 29, 1960 D. w. SESSIONS 12,930,340

AMPHIBIOUS CRAFT Filed March 30, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 29, 1960 D. w. SESSIONS AMPHIBIOUS CRAFT 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March so, 1956 United States Pa ent This invention relates to craft which can .be propelled .Qn-the water and/or on land and itsobject is to provide .a. craft which will be easy to handle,and comfortable and safefor the occupants.

According to the invention the craft comprises a hollow hull, a seat for the occupant mounted within the hull, a

crank device mounted within the hull in bearings transvrsely of the hull, water propulsion means operatively connected to said crank device and disposed outside the .hull, and at least three road wheels, at least one of which is adapted for steering, and at least one of which as.well:as ,the water propulsion means is connected to the ,crank device.

The propulsion means may be in the form. of a wheel .operatively connected to said crank ,deVlC-Wl'1lCh 15 mounted in bearings which may have their axes'disposed :at least as high as the seating surface of the seat. By zthis arrangement the-passenger is in acomfortable position in which ,he can exert considerable force on the pedals, and he is located at a low level in the hull sothat the craft with the occupant has a low centre of gravity and will therefore not easily capsize.

In one construction the hull has at least one water propulsion wheel disposed outside the hull, and at least three road wheels, at least one of which is adapted for steering, and at least one of which as well as the water propulsion wheel is connected to the crank device. The craftis therefore amphibious and can be driven forwards or backwards out of the water onto the landand vice versaby operation of the crank device. A pair of such hulls maybe conveniently connected together by an intermediate structure providing a deck.

.'-In order that the above described and other features of' the invention may be readily understood, a construc- ,tional form thereof will now .be described with reference the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure ,1 is a side elevation of the craft made in accordance with the invention; v

Figure 2 is a ,longitudinalsection on the centre line of one of thehulls; a

Figure3 is aplan view thereof, part broken away;

Figure ,4 is asfront view with one half sectioned at the wheel centre; I

Figure Sis a rear view;

Figure 6,is a side view of the deck section joining the hulls;

Figure 7 is a perspectiveview of the complete craft;

Figures 814 are plan views of alternative arrangements of the road wheels and propulsion wheels and operating se Figure is an elevation; and

Figure'lo an end view of a propulsion Wheel.

Referring first to Figures 1-6. The'cra'ft consists principally of two unsinkable and identical hulls 1 and 2 designed to normally carry one occupant each, reclining comfortably in a semi-horizontal position facing the .directio'nDf travel. The ,twohulls are spaced apart and rigidlyconnected together by a structure comprising a ine;

2 decking. 3 in one piece'or fabricated, and'sceured along each edge to the bulls by bolts 4. Propulsion on the water is effected by theoccupants of each hull operating a crank 5 having pedals, said crank driving a propulsion wheel 6. The two propulsion wheels are located between the hulls and are separately operated. Propulsion on the land is provided by the same means but I through the medium of two road wheels 7. Steering is eifected by a hand tiller or wheel 8 actuating combined road wheel'and rudder 9.

Preferably each hull measures approximately 15 feet in length, having a width of 18 inches and a depth of 24 inches. With the exception of' the bulkheads and the connecting means between the hulls, any normal shape or construction can be employed consistent with efiicient lines and economical production costs. The halls may be made, for example, from laminated resin bonded ply, sea water resisting light alloys,- or resinfibre glass'composition. The hulls are provided .with fore and aft bulkheads 10 and 11, which are important and not;only provide the main transverse strength of thevhulls but also a joining point for the deck section 3. The forward curved bulkhead 10 is of inverted U-shape around the forward wheel axle and supports the forward end of the Wheel casing 15, and a1so the inclined bulkheadsl l, to-

gether with the top edge of thecut away inboard side of each hull, follows the contour of :the deck section3 when bolted together. This forms a transversely rigidand continuous section between the hulls. The deck section forms also a spray hood and guard over the propulsion wheels, and supports the steering wheel column or tiller,

the fiat portion being useful as an additional seat and for general impediments carried. in the craft. The inclined up-turned rear portion provides a seat back and an anchorage for an outboard motor when this is used. The

centre deck section may be easily separated from the two hulls by unbolting these to facilitate transport, each part being very easily handled.

The sealed off portions of the hull forward and aft of the bulkheads respectively may be used as buoyancy chambers. I

The seats consist of a tubular frametransversely connected'by a seat pan 12 and a backrest 49, which may be upholstered in Dunlopillo cushioning for comfort. Fore and, aft adjustment of the seat is obtained by transverse members 13 passing 'under the seat and engaging at their ends a series of holes or serrations in the longitudinal members attached to the hull sides 14.

The cranks 5 are mounted in front of the occupants and inside each hull. Each crank is a single throw crank fitted with pedals 41. The axis of the crank is level with or' above the height of the seat 12.' The occupants brace themselves between the seat back and the pedal crank, thus obtainingmaximum support against the effort expanded. s V t The crank and pedals aremounted on the road wheel casing, the inboard end ofv one of the pedal spindles engaging a slot inthe free'end of a crank lever 16 which is independentlymounted on the hull side. A chain sprocket 17 is attached to the lower end of the crank lever 1e, driving by ch ain and sprocket, 18 which revolves spindle 19 which protrudes through theinboard side of the hull.

sprocket or gear wheel ratios, any desired speed may be I obtained for both road wheel and propulsion wheel;

To the outboard end of the {spindle is attached the propulsion wheel 6 and to the outboard Chain tensioning can be effected by a jockey sprocket or the movement of the spindle bearings. Sprocket 18 may be replaced by a free wheel and the gear drive 20 and 21 by sprocket and chain. A brake band 24 is fitted to the outside diameter of the gear drum 21 and operated by brake lever 25. All crank sprockets, chains and gears lie within the hull sides, and further protectionis provided for the mechanism-and the occupants by a detachable casing 26, closing in the drive open to the weather and adjacent the occupants legs.

By rotating the crank in the same manner as riding a bicycle, the craft is propelled on land forwards or backwards at will, and on entering the water the propulsion wheel already in motion propels the boat forwards or backwards immediately sufficient depth of water is reached and after the road wheel is no longer in contact with the ground. The reverse procedure takes place on leaving the water. Although both the propelling wheel and the road wheel driving spindles protrude through the hull side and wheel casing respectively, the spindle bearings are well above the waterline of the craft and the spindles are fitted with glands to exclude water and sand from damaging the bearings. The road wheels may be constructed of any suitable materials and may be of approximately 27 inches diameter to afford good contact with the ground, and they are situated on the longitudinal centre line of the hull forward of the amidships line. The rim of the wheel may be attached to the hub by means of spokes or sheet metal discs.

A pneumatic or unpuncturable cushion tyre is recommended, offering as little resistance to the water as possible but spreading when in contact with the ground. The road wheel may be readily detached when required for dismantling purposes, or when the craft is to be used on the water only. The propulsion wheel is situated substantially opposite the road wheel on the inner side of the hull and between the two hulls, and is made to revolve at a greater speed than the road wheel. The propulsion wheel does not protrude below the bottom of the hull as in the case of the road wheel which gives this adequate protection from damage.

Figures 15 and 16 show an elevation and end view of the propulsion wheel 6. The wheel or disc may be secured to its driving spindle by means of a clamp conforming with the corrugation of the blade at its centre, to form a lock between the male and female clamping plates. The propulsion wheel itself 6 is preferably constructed from sea water corrosion resisting light alloy material and is approximately 22 inches diameter and deformed to constitute a series of continuous waves or corrugations radially disposed and increasing in pitch from the centre to the perimeter. The sinuous and continuous side to side thrust of the rotating lower portion of the wheel 6 in the water produces a propulsive action similar to the movements of a fish or the blade of a sculling oar.

As an alternative, the conventional type of paddle wheel may be utilised or any other device deriving forward or backward motion to the hull from the water when driven by a spindle operating transversely to the craft. The land and water propulsion arrangements of each hull are identical and independent.

To support the rear road wheel 9 a strut 27 of tubular or rectangular section is detachably bolted to and between the two hulls near the aft end of these. The strut carries a central vertical tube forming a bearing for the shank of a fork member 28 which can be vertically rotated through linkage and roads 29 to similar linkage rotated by the steering wheel or tiller column 8. The wheel rim may be attached to the hub by means of spokes or sheet metal discs. A disc wheel functions as a rudder in the water but it is preferable to make this more effective and reduce water resistance by constructing a streamlined casing round the wheel 30. The fork member is given a slight castor action and the casing is extended further aft from the centre of the wheel to provide a steadier rudder action.

A crossbar 31 fixed to the top of the rotating fork shank forms a convenient auxiliary steering device when pushing and manoeuvring the craft on land, from the rear end of this. The steering wheel 8, or tiller, is easily accessible to both occupants in the seats and the brake 25 may be conveniently operated by foot or hand.

The three-point road wheel arrangement is adapted to compensate automatically for changes in road camber, eliminating any strain on the hulls. An inboard engine of suitable type may be readily fitted on the forward portion of the deck section, the engine driving a transverse cross shaft extending to the full width of the deck section on both sides, both ends of the shaft may be fitted with a fixed or free wheel sprocket which are lined up and engaged with an extension of the pedal operated driving chains, thus rendering the craft power operated on land and water.

For power operation in the water only, an outboard motor of conventional type may be clamped to the top of the aft upturned portion of the deck section and left in Working position or hinged clear of the water as desired.

A deck spray shield or breakwater 32 is fitted across the full width of the craft and also forms an extra bracing strut between the hulls.

Figure 7 shows a perspective sketch of the complete craft.

A single hull may be used separately by providing outboard buoyancy fioats if necessary on each side of the hull, and mounting the road wheels and propulsion wheels outside each of the hulls. The road wheel may be made retractable if desired. In the single hull version, the rear wheel and rudder assembly may be attached to the stern post of the hull or alternatively the rear road wheel may be housed within the hull and an independent rudder fitted to the stern post.

The road wheel casing 15 is a watertight compartment, open only at the bottom to permit the wheels to protrude through the hull.

Figures 8-14 show alternative arrangements of pedal crank drive to road wheels and propulsion means and rear wheel position. Figure 8 indicates a drive to a road wheel 7 on one side of the hull with a bevel drive 43 to a propeller shaft 44 and propeller 45 on the other, the propeller shaft lying between the hulls. The pro peller shaft may also be driven from both hulls simultaneously. As shown in Figure 9, the road wheel is in a watertight casing 46 fixed to the hull, open at the bottom of one side of the hull and the propulsion wheel is between the hulls or vice versa. As shown in Figure 10, the road wheel and propulsion wheel are driven together between the hulls or on the outside of the bulls. As shown in Figure 11, both road wheels and the propulsion wheel or wheels are driven together from both hulls and between these. Figure 12 shows the propulsion wheel in a watertight casing 47 open at the bottom within the hull sides, with the road wheel outside the hull or between these. Figure 13 shows a rear disc wheel 49, also acting as a rudder, fitted to the extreme aft end of the hull. Figure 14 shows the rear wheel 49 mounted within the aft end of the hull, this section of the hull being open to the water at the bottom.

Any of the above driving arrangements described may be situated behind the occupants, a longer chain being required from the pedal cranks.

Road wheels or propulsion wheels may have hollow watertight centres or drums to provide extra stability for the hulls if required when in the water.

A mast and sail may be provided for the craft.

I claim:

1. An amphibious craft capable of propulsion on land and water comprising two separate hulls, a bridge deck which joins the hulls detachably together above the water level, a seat for an occupant mounted in each hull, a

foot operated crank device in front of each seat, spindle 7 means for each crank device each having its inner end between the hulls and its outer end in a hull, road engaging wheels mounted rotatably within the hulls and connected with said outer spindle ends respectively, 'two water impellers mounted on said inner ends between the hulls, and means connecting said crank devices with said road engaging wheels within the hulls.

2. An amphibious craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bridge deck is formed in one piece to provide a rigid transverse section incorporating a water impeller splash guard, an addiitional seat back and aplatform, and having steering means for steering the craft and hand operated means mounted on said platform for actuating the means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 75,531 Crossley Mar. 17, 1868 1,490,964 Cook et a1. Apr. 22, 1924 2,341,165 Todd Feb. 8, 1944 2,370,508 Wilkie Feb. 27, 1945 10 2,376,626 Schuller May 22, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 49,213 France Sept. 6, 1938 (1st addition to 833,199)

928,144 France May 26, 1947 

